veto

1 of 3

noun (1)

ve·​to ˈvē-(ˌ)tō 

plural vetoes

1

: an authoritative prohibition : interdiction

2

a

: a power of one department or branch of a government to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying out of projects attempted by another department

especially : a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature

b(1)

: the exercise of such authority

(2)

: a message communicating the reasons of an executive and especially the president of the U.S. for vetoing a proposed law

veto

2 of 3

verb

vetoed; vetoing

transitive verb

: to refuse to admit or approve : prohibit

also : to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration

vetoer

ˈvē-(ˌ)tō-ər 

noun

vetoer

3 of 3

noun (2)

ve·​to·​er -ōə(r) sometimes -əwə- 

plural -s

: one that vetoes

Synonyms of veto

Noun (1)

• ban
• prohibition

Verb

• dismiss
• kill
• refuse

Examples of veto in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a veto of a bill

Are there enough votes in Congress to override the President's veto?

The President has the veto over new legislation.

The President may choose to exercise his veto.

Verb

The President vetoed the bill.

We wanted to do a cross-country trip, but our parents vetoed it.

She vetoed several restaurants before we could agree on one.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gerrymandered legislative districts will no doubt help Republicans keep their supermajority, but there is much good Jolly can bring — if nothing more than his veto pen. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

However, the president is head of the armed forces and can propose and veto legislation. — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Nov. 2026

Verb

Affordable housing The two candidates have clashed on the issue of high housing costs and local zoning authority with Lamont signing an affordable housing bill after vetoing an earlier version. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026

Versions of the proposal had circulated through the Legislature for more than a decade, but were vetoed repeatedly by Govs. — Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin, I forbid, from vetare to forbid

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing veto

• line-item veto
• pocket veto
• veto-proof

Rhymes for veto

• peto
• bonito
• burrito
• capito
• mosquito
• negrito
• incognito

Kids Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun

ve·​to ˈvēt-ō 

plural vetoes

1

: a forbidding of something by a person in authority

2

a

: the power of the head of a government to prevent a bill passed by a legislature from becoming law

b

: the use of such authority

veto

2 of 2 verb

: prohibit sense 1

especially : to use one's power of veto

vetoer

-ˌō(-ə)r 

noun

Etymology

Noun

from Latin veto "I forbid," from vetare "to forbid"

Legal Definition

veto

1 of 2 noun

ve·​to ˈvē-tō 

plural vetoes

1

: an authoritative prohibition

2

a

: a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature

b

: the exercise of such authority see also pocket veto compare legislative veto

veto

2 of 2 transitive verb

vetoed; vetoing

: to refuse to admit or approve

specifically : to refuse assent to (a legislative bill) so as to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration see also override

Etymology

Noun

Latin, I forbid, refuse assent to